LERA is a 120-person M/WBE firm providing structural engineering services to architects, owners, contractors, and developers. Established in 1923, we have designed numerous landmark projects, both nationally and internationally. Our long tradition of innovative design and our advances in technology have brought us to the forefront of the engineering profession.

With a reputation for design excellence, we work closely with all members of the owner, consultant, and construction teams to design projects of the highest quality. Our dynamic partnership and group of highly motivated individuals design economical, constructible, and cutting edge structures.
Our project portfolio includes residential towers, mixed-use developments, offices, government buildings, and healthcare, cultural, and educational facilities. The firm has accomplished unique, award-winning designs in concrete, steel, and wood. We have provided designs for new buildings and master plans, as well as renovations to existing structures. Our services for building renovations have ranged from condition and feasibility studies to construction documents for major alterations or expansions.

LERA has considerable experience in the design of renovations and additions to existing buildings. Our services range from planning, condition and feasibility studies to construction documents for major alterations or expansions. Projects include condition surveys, inspection of curtain walls, and repairs to structures in distress. Projects for which we have provided these services include office buildings, hotels, arenas, theaters, convention centers, schools and government buildings.

Headquartered in New York City, LERA also operates branch offices in Mumbai, India and Shanghai, China.

History:
Leslie Earl Robertson, born in 1928, graduated from The University of California at Berkely with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1952. After graduating, Robertson began working for Kaiser Engineers until 1954, John Blume and Associates from 1954 to 1957, Raymond International from 1957 to 1958, and in 1958 Robertson began working for Worthington and Skilling. Robertson became the lead engineer to work on the World Trade Center in 1966, and in 1973 he became a partner to Worthington Skilling Helle and Jackson which was then renamed to Skilling Helle Christensen Robertson. When this firm split in 1982, Robertson renamed the east coast branch to Leslie E. Robertson Associates (1).

Since then, Robertson has worked on numerous projects and has won many awards. In 1993, Robertson won his first award, the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Science and Technology when his work on the world trade center withstood the 1993 terrorist bombing. He was then awarded the World Trade Center Individual Exceptional Service Medal for his contributions in restoring the towers. Robertson received the first Henry C. Turner prize for Innovation in Construction Technology, in 2002, in honor of his 50 years as a structural engineer. The American Society of Civil Engineers presented Robertson with the Oustanding Projects and Leaders award in 2003 (2).

“With his innovations in structural engineering, Mr. Robertson has set new standards in the design and construction of tall buildings. A pioneer in the application of computers to design, he has advanced the art and the science of structural engineering theory” (3). “With the completion of nearly 130 projects, Leslie E. Robertson and LERA have established themselves as leaders of innovation. Their ability to successfully complete the structures of an architect’s wildest dreams has propelled them to the forefront of the engineering community” (4).